Introduction to Scientific Research

Main specific objectives :

1.     To master the state-of-the art theoretical aspects related to the project by performing a search of the scientific literature;

2.     To understand the main goals, working hypotheses and experimental strategies to investigate them;

3.     To start the experimental work. This can include technical set ups, tests of controls prior to launching the experiments designed to investigate the proposed research hypotheses;

4.     To progressively become proficient in conducting experiments without errors, to become progressively independent;

5.     To critically analyze and interpret the results generated by the experimental work and found in the literature;

6.     To present the project and work products in a scientific mini-article (written document and oral presentation followed by a session of questions and answers). The students must present the context of the project and state-of-the-art in an introduction, describe the main goals of the project and specific aims for the first part of the master thesis, write a material and methods section and present the experimental results in a clear and comprehensive manner (it may be preliminary data at this stage). The mini-article will also include conclusions and discussion points based on the findings, and positioned in light of data already published in the literature. Perspectives regarding the second part of the master thesis are also required.